Lionel Messi mourns lifelong presence; father Jorge Messi dies at 68

ROSARIO: Jorge Horacio Messi, the father of football great Lionel Messi, died at a clinic in Rosario, Argentina, on Friday night. He was 68. Jorge had been undergoing long-term treatment for an illness and died at around 10 p.m., according to reports.

He was a constant presence throughout Lionel Messi’s rise in football, supporting his son from his early days in the sport. He later worked as Messi’s agent and was involved in negotiations over contracts with football clubs and global brands.

The Messi family had stayed away from several of Lionel’s recent World Cup matches in the United States, amid concerns over Jorge’s health. In June, reports claiming that Jorge had died had circulated in the media, but the family denied them and criticised the spread of false information.

During the 2026 World Cup, Messi had also spoken about personal difficulties linked to his father’s illness. After celebrating a goal early in the tournament, he clarified that his emotional reaction was connected to personal reasons rather than the match itself.

Jorge Messi is survived by his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their four children, Rodrigo, Matias, Lionel and Maria Sol. Tributes and condolences poured in from football figures and fans following his death.